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ETHIOPIA

Ethiopia has experienced strong and broad-based growth since 2004, making it one of the fastest growing economies in Africa, and the Government has set the ambitious target of becoming a lower-middle income country by 2025.Our research is providing evidence of what rapid economic change means for children and young people.

About Ethiopia

Ethiopia is one of the countries in Sub-Saharan Africa that is on track to have met most of the MDG targets. In addition to an overall decline in poverty, access to services is improving and positive gains have been made in terms of access to education and health services, and in reducing child mortality and the prevalence of HIV and AIDS. However, the country is currently experiencing drought, with almost 3 million people needing food assistance in 2015. Economic growth is bringing expansion of infrastructure and improving access to services such as health and education. However, there are signs that inequalities are beginning to widen, particularly between urban and rural areas. Visit the Young Lives Ethiopia website to learn more.

Our research

Our study sites in Ethiopia are spread across 5 regions – Amhara, Oromia, SNNPR, Tigray and Addis Ababa. Our findings on health and nutrition are providing a positive message of the potential of catch-up growth for malnourished children, and the Government has recently set up a school-feeding programme. The unique dual cohort design of Young Lives means that we are in a good position to provide evidence on quality of education throughout the school system, and we are providing support to Government as it considers how best to implement its ambitious plans for expanding early learning. Research with our Older Cohort shows the importance of expanding education and employment opportunities for young people.